'Punishment' attack gunmen must be brought to justice

The so-called punishment shooting carried out on a Londonderry man on Monday night was brutal even by the standards of such attacks. He was shot four times in the upper thighs, sustaining life-changing injuries, and was fortunate not to bleed to death.

The so-called punishment shooting carried out on a Londonderry man on Monday night was brutal even by the standards of such attacks. He was shot four times in the upper thighs, sustaining life-changing injuries, and was fortunate not to bleed to death.

There have been thousands of such attacks in the last five decades by both republican and loyalist gangs, partly to create fear in their communities and partly to set themselves up as alternative police.

While victims and witnesses are understandably frightened, it is vital they pass on information to help bring the thugs to justice.